The last ‘rebel’ enclave in Syria’s northwest came under attack from the Syrian government on Wednesday. Arab News reports that at least seven people, including four children, were killed in the shelling. The attack, targeting the city of Idlib and two towns, Ariha and Kefraya, took place during heavy rains.

The volunteer White Helmets rescue team said the shelling in Idlib and surrounding areas had wounded 17 people. Spokesman, Ahmed Sheikho, four people, including a 4-year old child, were killed in the town of Ariha. Two children were killed in the town of Kefraya. A shell landed near a weekly market in Idlib city, killing a child.

Arab News reports that the shelling followed the disintegration of an eight-month truce negotiated between Turkey and Russia. Government and allied forces operations have, in recent weeks, been resumed. In late October, an airstrike in the area killed dozens of Turkey-backed fighters at their training camp. Retaliatory attacks resulted in the type of violence seen to have previously been responsible the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents fleeing fighting.

Arab News reports that while rival areas are controlled by different groups, backed by regional or international powers, millions have been displaced, and almost half a million people killed, during Syria’s nine years of conflict.

Umm Muhammed Umar